HEALTH: The Science Behind the Plant

The endocannabinoid systemMedical cannabis harnesses the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps to achieve balance in the body and is involved in many functions, including pain sensation, inflammation, mood and appetite.

Natural Cannabinoids
Our ECS naturally produces chemicals called cannabinoids, which pass messages between the brain and body parts through cannabinoid receptors. They act like a key opening a lock on our cells. When the cannabinoids deliver messages like pain or nausea to the receptors, the locks open and trigger a response — such as pain relief.

The Active Ingredients
The active ingredients in the cannabis plant are called phytocannabinoids. The two most researched are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). They are similar to the cannabinoids our bodies naturally produce.

Supplementing the System
Aging and certain medical conditions affect how the ECS works and can lead to symptoms like pain. Phytocannabinoids are analogous to having spare keys for your cannabinoid receptors, supplementing the cannabinoids normally produced by the body.